From the Inquirer:
Microsoft is downloading Windows 10 to your machine 'just in case'
MICROSOFT HAS CONFIRMED that Windows 10 is being downloaded to computers whether or not users have opted in.
An INQUIRER reader pointed out to us that, despite not having 'reserved' a copy of Windows 10, he had found that the ~BT folder, which has been the home of images of the new operating system since before rollout began, had appeared on his system. He had no plans to upgrade and had not put in a reservation request.
He told us: "The symptoms are repeated failed 'Upgrade to Windows 10' in the WU update history and a huge 3.5GB to 6GB hidden folder labelled '$Windows.~BT'. I thought Microsoft [said] this 'upgrade' was optional. If so, why is it being pushed out to so many computers where it wasn't reserved, and why does it try to install over and over again?
"I know of two instances where people on metered connections went over their data cap for August because of this unwanted download. My own internet (slow DSL) was crawling for a week or so until I discovered this problem. In fact, that's what led me to it. Not only does it download, it tries to install every time the computer is booted."
We asked Microsoft to comment on whether it was downloading Windows 10 anyway as the company rushes to build on the 75 million machines with the new OS installed in its first month, putting it in fourth place behind Window 7, 8.1 and the erstwhile XP.
Microsoft told us: "For individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they’ll need if they decide to upgrade.
"When the upgrade is ready, the customer will be prompted to install Windows 10 on the device.”
In other words, if you are patching via Patch Tuesday, as you should of course be, then you are going to get a big hefty folder on your hard drive ready so you can update to Windows 10 on demand.
This is just wrong. Out here, a lot of people are on satellite ISPs and having a stealth download of 5GB would put any service provider over it's monthly cap and they would have to wait 30 days for this to reset. Microsoft must be feeling depeerate for revenue for them to be pushing this on people without their ability to opt-out. Here is my machine:
I am waiting for someone to write a utility to remove the downloaded files and block any future "updates". I am happy with Windows 7 and I want to stay with Windows 7 until I make the decision to upgrade.
Right now, if I upgrade, it will be to Linux. I have two machines that require Windows (audio editing/music production and photography) but neither of them are connected to the internet for specific reasons and they are going to stay that way.
